How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Dog to New York City?

Whether it’s a dog, cat, or llama, your pet is an important member of the family. For dog lovers out there, you know they have warmed up the household with their playfulness and affection. It’s hard when you have to leave them to go on vacation.

Whether you’re going to France or going across the country, there are logistical matters you need to take care of. But what if you’re going to another state for an extended period? Or what if you’re moving across the country? How will the move affect your dog? Transporting your dog to New York City shouldn’t be a hassle or cause you loads of stress.

The logistical matters in this scenario can be overwhelming. Most airlines may have a weight limit or allow only one dog per person. If the dog weighs too much, you will have to transport your dog in the cargo hold, which can be a traumatic experience for your beloved pet.

There are a variety of ways to transport your dog to New York City. Here’s some information on how to safely ship your dog to the Big Apple—either by airplane, train, or car.

Fun Facts About Dogs in New York City

Before we delve into dog transport, let’s look at some fun facts. Pet ownership is high in New York City, with 27% of New Yorkers owning a dog. Pet services are vast in this hustle-and-bustle city, ranging from pet hotels to pet spas. The pet spending in New York City totals $1.5 billion or more. There are so many things to do in New York City with your beloved dog, too. You can go to the park, the beach, on a ride (yes, they are allowed on the metro and buses) and even attend a pet festival.

Popular Pet Breeds in the Big Apple

According to Wag!, the most popular breeds in New York City are:

1. Mixed breed
2. French bulldog
3. Cockapoo
4. American pit bull terrier
5. Havanese
6. Beagle
7. Shiba Inu
8. Labrador retriever
9. Golden retriever
10. Maltese

Ways to Transport a Dog to New York City

There is an assortment of ways to transport a dog to New York City and the costs associated are different. Let’s look at the most common ways to transport your dog.

Transporting a Dog To New York City via Air Travel

As stated above, air travel could be the fastest way to transport a dog, but it can also be logistically challenging. First decide if air travel is right for you and your best friend.

Tips for Transporting a Dog to New York City via Air Travel

• Avoid low-cost airlines with hidden fees and instead fly with an airline that has a good reputation.
• Traveling off-season will help reduce costs, as well as taking direct flights.
• Freeze water and put it in a large crate bowl so your dog can have enough to drink the entire flight.
• Carry all veterinary certificates and pet requirements.
• Ensure all your contact information is on the crate and your dog’s collar.
• Arrive at the airport at least half-hour earlier to check in, and don’t let airline attendants take your dog until thirty minutes before departure. 
• Before departure, ensure you watch until airline baggage handlers have loaded your dog onto the plane.
• Make sure you have a picture of your dog in case you get separated at arrival.
• Do not give your dog any sedative unless your veterinarian suggests it.

Costs Associated with Air Travel

Smaller dogs have the advantage here. Because of their size, they can ride in the cabin with their owners. Usually, you should call in advance because airlines will only allow one or two pets per flight inside the cabin. Your pet’s carrier — a cost that can roughly run from $25-$75 — should be small enough that your dog can fit inside and underneath the seat in front of you. The total one-way amount for United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines sits at $125. That isn’t much. However, with a larger pet, the costs increase substantially.

There are a variety of costs that go into traveling a larger dog. Larger pets must go in the cargo hold. These special crates have an estimate of $100-$200, and the cost of transporting your precious Lucky in the cargo hold can range from $500-$1000. The exact costs are determined at the time of booking.

Requirements for Dogs in the Cabin or Cargo Hold

Besides this experience possibly being traumatic for your dog, you must follow many requirements. A small dog that can fit in a carrier can go in the main cabin, but airline policy has it set with only one per passenger and two pets per flight. And when your dog is over a specific weight, the airline will require you to put your dog in the cargo hold.

Pet Cargo Crate Requirements

• Ensure the dog can stand up and turn around in the crate and doesn’t touch the top.
• The crate must have secure locking all around with pins that extend past the extrusions above and below the door.
• The crate must be ventilated on all sides.
• The crate must have your dog’s name and your contact information visible for others to see.
• A water and food bowl must be attached to the door, which must be accessible from the outside of the crate.
• The crate must be secure with hardware instead of plastic fasteners.

Transporting a Dog to New York City on a Train

Train travel is not as common in the United States anymore. However, with a new bill funding more public transportation projects and political speeches touting public transit, trains may gain popularity again. Amtrak allows dog transportation, but there are several requirements and costs:

• Only one pet per passenger.
• The trip cannot last more than seven hours.
• Your dog must be more than eight weeks old.
• Your dog must be under your seat at all times inside a carrier.
• Lastly, the weight of your dog and carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds.

There is good news and bad news associated with transporting your dog on Amtrak trains. The good news: it only costs $25. The bad news: only small dogs are allowed. If you have a large dog, you must go with another alternative — either air travel or by car.

Transporting a Dog to New York City by Automobile

This method of transportation is likely the easiest because there are no requirements besides the documentation needed when you arrive at your destination. However, it may be overwhelming to plan the logistics and multiple variables involved. If you live in Oregon and are going to New York City, it will be more expensive to drive cross country than living in Pennsylvania and going to New York City, which is only one state away.

Let’s consider the variables — driving cross-country and driving from one state away. The table below shows you a breakdown of costs if you choose to transport your dog by car.

The information in the table above shows the variables you’ll have to consider when traveling to New York City with your dog and another person (because sometimes you need to take a break from driving). These factors are different depending on the state where you are coming from. As you can see, driving cross country will cost you $1,760, nine times more than driving from a state away. You should also consider that when arriving in New York City, there will be costs associated with parking, and the wild traffic of the Big Apple.

Using CitizenShipper

After looking at all options involved, consider using a pet transport marketplace like CitizenShipper! Our platform offers many advantages over traditional pet transporters.

• Once you post a listing on our site, a fleet of screened, USDA-registered drivers will send you quotes within minutes. 
• You can compare bids and chat with several drivers across our network, and once you choose the driver you like best, you’re ready to book your trip! 
• Payment is received either before or after delivery, which is usually decided by the driver — though we recommend . 
• There is a modest fee that we charge that varies per mileage that accounts for our stringent vetting process. For example, from Pennsylvania, we would charge $59.99 and from Oregon, it would increase to $204.99. 
• That’s how it works — it’s that easy!

We pride ourselves in making pet shipping run safe, seamless and stress-free. Your beloved pet will be in good hands with our qualified drivers, who provide frequent updates.

Because drivers compete for your business, we can save you up to 60-70% in comparison to traditional shipping companies!

Entry Requirements to New York City

Before leaving California or your respective state, you should check with the Public Health’s webpage for exit requirements. You can check the list of requirements by accessing the US Department of Agriculture’s page here. The entry requirements for your dog into New York City are simple and similar to other states. If you want to check their official page, you can click here.

In order to enter New York City, dogs need:

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

• Issued by an accredited veterinarian and signed
• Validity of 30 days

New York prefers the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to be in electronic format, but the VS 7001 form is accepted. The CVI is not required if the pet stays less than 30 days if the dog is a resident of New York with a proper pet license, rabies vaccination, or if returning from out-of-state less than a year.

Your dog must be currently vaccinated with a rabies vaccine with a one or three year vaccine. Make sure you apply for a dog license once you arrive in New York City if you are moving there permanently. 

Conclusion

Whatever method you use — whether airplane, train, or automobile — transportation has a massive effect on your dog. If your dog is small, it may be easier to fly directly to New York City, but there may be hiccups and requirements to fulfill. The same goes for riding the train.

If you live cross country, it may take days and a lot of money on food, gas, and accommodation. If you live a state away, it’s just an easy drive that may take less than a day. But the hassle of driving can be overwhelming for you and your dog. The alternative is booking a driver through CitizenShipper. Our drivers understand what your dog means to you and will ensure proper, loving care for your dog during the ride. CitizenShipper also provides some added benefits for you so you’re even more calm — up to $1000 pet protection guarantee and 24/7 TeleVet access through our partner FirstVet.

By trusting drivers on CitizenShipper to transport your dog, you will have peace of mind and comfort knowing your beloved dog is in the best of hands. Shipping your dog long-distance doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Fill in your pup’s information today, and get free quotes in just minutes!